Apple has snapped up the Swedish record label BIS Record, which specializes in classical music, to improve its own Apple Music Classical app.
BIS Records, founded in 1973 by Robert von Bahr, recently celebrated its 5oth anniversary. It confirmed the deal without disclosing the transaction value. The iPhone maker will roll  BIS recordings into the Apple Music Classical library.
The BIS Records catalog is mainly comprised of early and contemporary classical music not found or inadequately represented by existing recordings.
Apple Music Classical will use BIS content
The acquisition was announced on September 5, 2023, by BIS Records on X, the social network fomerly known as Twitter. “After 50 years, BIS Records is proud to announce that we have joined the Apple family,” it reads.
The record label will be added to Platoon, Apple’s in-house music label, and BIS will be folded into the Apple Music Classical app. “In this way, the musical treasures of our extensive catalog will be further enhanced and preserved,” BIS said. Its recordings were stil available on Apple Music and eClassical at the time of writing.
View BIS Records on Apple Music
View BIS Records on eClassical
Founder Robert von Bahr wrote on the BIS Records website that the company proudly nurtured young classical artists and interesting living composers.
“It is to that end that, after much careful consideration, and having just turned 80, I am excited to announce the rather momentous news that we have made the decision to become part of the Apple family,” he added.
After 50 years, BIS Records is proud to announce that we have joined the Apple family. BIS will become part of Apple Music Classical and Platoon. In this way, the musical treasures of our extensive catalogue will be further enhanced and preserved.
Robert pic.twitter.com/6Vf5Nmwpzu— BIS Records (@BIS_records) September 5, 2023
A great fit for Apple Music Classical
Apple Music Classical is a music-streaming service oriented on classical works, provided at no additional charge to Apple Music subscribers.
The Apple Music Classical app and service are based on Apple’s acquisition of the leading classical music streaming service Primephonic for an undisclosed sum.
Apple doesn’t make massive acquisitions like some of its industry peers. Instead, the company prefers to acquire smaller startups for talent or technology. The biggest Apple acquisition to date is a $3 billion deal with Beats Electronics.